Fence-post



H. B. CAMP. FENCE POST.

(No Model.)

- Patented Sept. 19, 158937.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.-

HORACE B. CAMP, OF OUYAHOGA FALLS, OHIO.

FENCE-POST.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 505,156, dated September 19, 1893.

Application filed October 22, 1892. Serial No. 449,575. (No model.)

To mZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HORACE B. CAMP, a citizen of the United States, residing at Guy ahoga Falls, in the county of Summit and State of Ohio, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Fence-Posts, of which the following is a specification.

My invention has relation to improvements in that class of fence posts which embodies an earthen-ware base to be partially bedded in the ground, and a wood top connected with the base, and extending above to receive the boards or wires.

The object of my invention is, in addition to the general object sought in this class of posts of rendering the lower part'practically indestructible by the elements, while the upper parts subserve all purposes of the ordinary wood post; to provide a new and improved method of uniting and fastening the upper and lower parts, without the intervention of nails, bolts, clamps or rivets, and thereby simplifying the construction, reducing the number of parts, and facilitating their union and separation; and the further object of souniting these parts that the contiguous faces of the two parts will rapidly dry, after being wet, as by rain, thus preventing rotting of the wood portion.

To the aforesaid objects, my invention consists in a peculiar and novelconstruction, and combination of parts hereinafter described, and then specifically pointed out in the claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part'of this specification.

In the drawings, in which similar letters of reference indicate like parts in the different Views: Figure 1 is a perspective View of one form of my improved post,-standing in the ground, the upper portion broken off; Figs. 2, and 8, similar views of the upper and lower portions detached; Fig. 4, a horizontal section through both portions when united; Fig. 5, a modified form of the upper portion; Fig. 6, an elevation of parts of the latter upper portion and lower portion united; and Fig. 7, a horizontal section through these portions, united.

Referring to the drawings, A is the base,

which is of earthen-ware, and, preferably, of

the same material, and burned and vitrified in the same manner as sewer pipe; and in cross section forms three sides of a rectangle,

and has on the inner faces of the two opposite sides, projecting ribs B. The upper portion, 0, is of wood adapted to fit the interior of the base A, and has on opposite sides grooves D, which fit and receive the ribs B. By this construction, the wood portion is readily inserted in the base, where it is retained by the ribs; the distance it enters the base being determined by the length of the grooves D.

In the modified form shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7, and which is preferred for light fences, the upper portion 0, is of a suflicient thickness to fill the space between the inclosing side and the ribs B, and is wider than the space between the opposite sides, to enter which it is cut away on each side of its lower end, the reduced portion terminating in abrupt shoulders D, which, in so far as they limit the descent of the post into the base, subserve the same purpose as the tops of the grooves D, in the construction first described.

In use, the upper portions of both forms shown should bear such relative size to the interiors of the lower portions, as to prevent breaking the latter by expansion from moisture, and this adjustment of the parts allows such freedom between the contiguous faces of the portions as permits them to dry, and avoids that decay of the wood portion, incident to retaining the parts rigidly pressed against each other, a result further secured by having one side of the base open, thereby allowing rapid evaporation of moisture. The

rectangular form of the lower portion is not essential to my invention, as it may be semicircular, or of other desired configuration; the rectangular shape being preferred as being more readily fitted by ordinarily sawed lumber.

The form of the ribs B, isnot necessarilyrectangular, as shown, but may be triangular, semicircular or conical in cross section; and in any form need not be continuous, but consist of a series of lugs in alignment with each other; though the continuous character is preferred, as this portion of the post is readily made by being forced in a continuous stream from a press, and cut 0K in desired lengths, in the ordinary manner of constructing sewer plpe.

I am aware that a post, consisting of a wood top combined with an earthen-ware base is, in itself, not new; and such I do not broadly claim; but

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, isj 1. In a fence post of the class designated, the combination with a hollow earthen-ware base, open on one side, and having projections on its two inner opposite faces, of a wood post adapted to fit the interior of said base and be retained by said projections, substantially as shown and described.

2. An improved fence post consisting essentially of a hollow earthen-ware base, open on one side, having projections on two inner opposite faces; and a wood post adapted to enter and fit said base, and be retained laterally by said projections, and having stops to limit its descent into the base, substantially as shown and described.

3. As an improved article of manufacture, a fence post base consisting of a section of earthenware pipe, open on one side, and having on two inner opposite faces, projections to retain an inserted wood post, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony that I claim the abovel'hereunto set my hand.

HORACE B. CAMP. In presence of- O. P. HUMPHREY, JOHN J. WAGONER. 

